The Rabobank leadout trio of Mark Renshaw, Graeme Brown and Theo Bos hit a snag Sunday, when Bos crashed hard in the final corner of the Giro d’Italia’s second stage in Herning, Denmark.

The Dutch squad came into the Giro planning to split sprinting duties between Bos and Renshaw, both stage winners at last week’s Presidential Tour of Turkey. Renshaw was the driver on Sunday, with Bos behind him, but neither rider was able to contest the sprint, which was won by Mark Cavendish (Sky).

“Theo was on my wheel and everything was going just as we planned coming into the final corner,” said Renshaw. “We had Brownie up there as well. But when we came into the last corner, I felt we were going too fast. I thought Cav and (Matt) Goss would crash.”

When an Orica-GreenEdge rider led Robbie Hunter and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda), Cavendish and Geraint Thomas (Sky) through the final, right-hand corner at approximately 300 meters, Bos crossed his front wheel with Renshaw’s rear.

“Everything was going perfect,” said Bos. “We arrived to the last kilometer just as we had hoped and I thought, ‘now all is left is the sprint.’ Of course, then I crashed. I was concentrated on staying right on Mark’s wheel. I just misjudged it a little bit and I clipped his wheel.”

Bos careened toward the left-hand barriers on the outside of the turn, taking down a number of riders, including Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff. Brown looked behind him at Bos sliding across the road and shouted to Renshaw to go. The Aussie slipped onto the tail of the front group just as Hunter jumped, and followed wheels in for sixth, between Roberto Ferrari (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) and Thor Hushovd (BMC Racing).

Renshaw said he’d emptied himself in the lead-out to the corner and didn’t have enough stamina to fight for the stage win.

Bos was uncertain whether he would be able to start in Monday’s final stage in Denmark before the race takes a rest day to return to Italy.

“I crashed hard on my left side,” he said. “At first I feared something was broken. I am worried about being able to start tomorrow. Of course, if I am not 100 percent, we will ride for Mark.”

Renshaw said he would be ready for Monday’s likely bunch finish, but faces a tough road with his one-two partner down and possibly out of the race after just two days.

“There are another five or six chances,” said Renshaw. “I am on the best form of my life.”

Brian Holcombe

Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. A Master of PR and Marketing Communications, his graduate work at the University of Denver focused on innovation, digital media management and custom publishing. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent, and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.